Six Promising New Veterinarians Selected for AAEP Foundation Scholarships

Six veterinary graduates of 2015 committed to careers in equine medicine have been selected by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation to receive $4,000 scholarships. The scholarships will be presented during the Dec. 8 AAEP Foundation Celebration, held in conjunction with the AAEP’s 61^st Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nev.

Four of the graduates will receive the annual Zoetis/AAEP Foundation Scholarships; two other graduates are the inaugural recipients of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association (NWPVMA) Equine Symposium/AAEP Foundation Scholarships. Both scholarship programs reward graduating veterinary students with a dedication to equine medicine for their academic excellence, leadership in their school and AAEP student chapter, and their long-term goals.

Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients:

Zoetis/AAEP Foundation Scholarships

Angela Gaesser, DVM, Texas A&M University
Lauren Mundy, DVM, The Ohio State University
Jillian Paegelow, DVM, University of Missouri
Esther Rogers, DVM, Auburn University

NWPVMA Equine Symposium/AAEP Foundation Scholarships

Kaitlin McDonald, DVM, University of Calgary
Jennifer Reda, DVM, University of Florida

In additional to the financial award, each recipient will receive a travel stipend to attend the annual convention as well as complimentary convention registration and ticket to the AAEP Foundation Celebration.

Veterinary student applicants are nominated for the scholarships by representatives from their colleges. In addition to academic excellence, recipients are evaluated on their leadership abilities and involvement in activities benefiting the health and welfare of horses. Each accredited college or school of veterinary medicine with an AAEP student chapter may use its own criteria to nominate a fourth-year veterinary student who plans to enter equine practice.

The awards from Zoetis are available thanks to the donations of Zoetis customers who participated in the Industry Support Program from Feb. 1 through April 30, 2014. These veterinarians designated that a portion of their product purchases be used for scholarships for AAEP student members.

“As an AAEP educational partner, we are delighted to honor these exceptional graduating veterinary students who have taken a special interest in equine medicine,” said Douglas Braun, DVM, MBA, manager veterinary marketing with the Veterinary and Reseller Marketing group at Zoetis. “We also recognize the vital role our dedicated customers play in sponsoring these scholarships, and we are pleased to continue supporting the leadership established by the American Association of Equine Practitioners and the AAEP Foundation.”

The scholarship awards from the NWPVMA Equine Symposium are available thanks to the quality of the equine veterinarian speakers that have drawn the generous support of its corporate and local financial sponsors, as well as outstanding attendance throughout the 10 years the symposium has been held.

“On behalf of the many sponsors, the 1,200-plus individual participants and all those who assisted in the success of the NWPVMA Equine Symposiums, as equine symposium coordinator, I am pleased to be able to present these scholarships through the AAEP Foundation to two exceptional future equine veterinarians,” said David V. Medic, DVM, of Clarks Mills, Pa.

For more information about AAEP Foundation scholarship programs, please visit https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/scholarships.